Chapter Forty-Two: Those Who Insult the Grandmaster Shall Be Killed Without Mercy

Qin Feng unleashed his full strength, pouring all ten thousand jin of immense power contained within his body into his attack without reservation.

A thunderous crash resounded as Qin Feng’s fist collided with Yun Qing’s. Yun Qing’s expression changed abruptly; he felt a surge of overwhelming force sweeping toward him, impossible to withstand. He staggered backward, crashing through chairs and other furnishings, leaving them in ruins.

“So strong!”

“His strength is incredible.”

“Has he perhaps broken through to the Guardian Realm?”

Yun Qing stumbled back a full ten steps before he could steady himself, his face filled with shock as he stared at Qin Feng in disbelief.

“Have you broken through to the Guardian Realm?” Yun Qing asked in a low, somber voice.

“Not yet, but killing you will not be difficult,” Qin Feng replied coldly, his eyes filled with murderous intent as he fixed his gaze on Yun Qing.

“Enough. I concede. I will no longer interfere in the affairs of the Weiyuan Escort Agency,” Yun Qing said at last. “But let me warn you—do not go too far. Otherwise, I shall report to the imperial court, and when the army descends upon you, even a Guardian will not escape death!”

Suppressing the trembling in his arm, Yun Qing looked deeply at Qin Feng, the thought of retreat arising in his heart.

“I trust the City Lord will remember his words today,” Qin Feng said, cupping his fists respectfully, his voice grave. He strode toward the exit.

Qin Feng was not reckless; he bore no deep personal enmity with Yun Qing and saw no need to pursue a fight to the death. Besides, killing Yun Qing would only provoke the court into action, which would be a far greater crisis.

At present, Qin Feng possessed only the strength of a Grandmaster; to think of opposing the imperial court was sheer folly.

“How do you fare now, Guardian Qin?” Huang Chengjun, who had not gone far and had listened gleefully to the commotion inside, assumed that Qin Feng had angered the City Lord and was being taught a harsh lesson. Seeing Qin Feng emerge, he hurried forward, mocking him to avenge his earlier humiliation.

“I warned you before—if you dared be disrespectful to me again, I would kill you!”

With that, Qin Feng swung a fist directly at Huang Chengjun’s chest, sending him flying. The devastating force shattered Huang Chengjun’s internal organs.

“Commander Huang!”

“He’s killed Commander Huang!”

“Surround this place! Don’t let him escape!”

“Hurry, notify the City Lord!”

The disturbance alarmed the guards inside the City Lord’s residence. Rushing over, they found Huang Chengjun coughing blood and sprawled on the ground. Drawing their weapons, they surrounded Qin Feng.

“Qin Feng, what is the meaning of this?” Yun Qing, hearing the commotion, burst through the doors. When he saw his trusted lieutenant on the verge of death, fury contorted his features, and his eyes blazed with murderous rage.

“Imperial privilege: a Grandmaster cannot be insulted. Whoever offends a Grandmaster, shall die without mercy,” Qin Feng said calmly, meeting Yun Qing’s gaze without the slightest hint of fear.

“Do you truly believe I cannot kill you?” Yun Qing growled, his fists clenched in anger.

“Qin Feng is but flesh and blood; of course the City Lord could kill me. But do not forget—you, too, are flesh and blood. If you seek my death, you will perish before I do,” Qin Feng replied in a low, steady voice, utterly unafraid.

The City Lord’s residence represented the imperial court, whose power was unrivaled. Qin Feng understood that the court was filled with countless formidable figures. Yet if Yun Qing wanted him dead, Qin Feng would not go down without a fight. Anyone who wished to kill him would pay a price.

“Stand down, all of you,” Yun Qing ordered, suppressing his murderous urge. The guards slowly withdrew.

“I take my leave,” Qin Feng said, cupping his fists again before turning to depart.

“Kill him, my lord! Please, kill him!” Lying on the ground, gasping his last, Huang Chengjun summoned the last ounce of his strength to beg Yun Qing for vengeance as he saw Qin Feng leave unscathed.

Yun Qing sighed heavily, rolling up his sleeve to reveal his arm, blood streaming from torn muscle and skin—the result of that single clash with Qin Feng.

“We exchanged a single blow, and I lost—utterly and without suspense,” Yun Qing said in a deep voice.

“No! I don’t believe it. My lord, you are a peak Guardian, the greatest warrior in Xuanzhou City. How could you lose?” Disbelief filled Huang Chengjun’s eyes before his body stiffened and, his life’s blood spent, he perished.

“Someone, come!” Yun Qing called, sorrow flickering in his eyes.

Huang Chengjun had served him faithfully for many years, achieving great merit. Now, to see him slain by Qin Feng brought Yun Qing immense grief.

“Give Commander Huang a proper burial,” Yun Qing ordered. Removing his robe, he draped it over Huang Chengjun’s body, then turned and walked back into his chambers. In that brief moment, his face twisted with hatred, his eyes seething with murderous intent. He would not let Qin Feng go unpunished.

...

Back at his mountain estate on Qingyun Mountain, Qin Feng was soon joined by Yan Chonghu, Shi Tie, Wang Fu, Wang Bao, Liu Qing, and Zhao Hu, all rushing in after hearing the news.

“Yan Chonghu, Shi Tie, dispatch men to keep watch on the City Lord’s residence. If there is any unusual movement, especially if the Xuan Iron Guards are mobilized, send word to me at once,” Qin Feng commanded, seated at the head of the hall.

He knew full well that he had now completely antagonized the City Lord’s residence. Yun Qing would not rest until one of them was dead.

“My strength is still too weak. If I had attained the Commander Realm, I could suppress all of Xuanzhou City and even force the City Lord’s residence to serve me. If I reached the King of Men Realm, what would it matter if I killed Yun Qing? Even if the imperial court sent its strongest, I would have the confidence to resist!”

Qin Feng was painfully aware of his own inadequacy. He resolved to train even harder, to advance to the Commander Realm, or even the King of Men Realm.

“Yes, Lord Qin. I will ensure the City Lord’s residence is watched most carefully,” Yan Chonghu replied, understanding the gravity of the situation.

“Be sure not to alert anyone within the City Lord’s residence. Though I managed to repel Yun Qing with a single punch and kill Huang Chengjun, and have, for the time being, cowed Yun Qing, I sense he will not yield so easily.” Qin Feng nodded, then recounted all that had occurred within the City Lord’s residence.

Yan Chonghu, Shi Tie, Liu Qing, and Zhao Hu were stunned as they listened, staring at Qin Feng in disbelief.

One punch had sent Yun Qing reeling.

He had slain Commander Huang.

He had cowed Yun Qing.

Their bodies trembled, a mixture of excitement and anxiety flooding their hearts. The City Lord’s residence had always seemed untouchable, yet now Lord Qin had come and gone as he pleased, even intimidating its master.

Yet, beneath their excitement, they harbored deep concern. The City Lord’s residence was formidable not only because of Yun Qing, but also due to the Xuan Iron Guards and the might of the imperial court itself.

“Rest assured, Lord Qin. I will personally keep watch and allow not the slightest movement to pass unnoticed. I will also find ways to plant eyes and ears within the City Lord’s residence, to monitor all that goes on inside,” Yan Chonghu said quickly, fully aware of the seriousness of their predicament.